Driving mechanism for divided axles.



C. H. JOHNSON. DRIVING MEGHANISM FOR DIVIDED AXLBS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 14, 1909. QLQQ.

Patented Mar. 15, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

C. H. JOHNSON.

DRIVING MECHANISM FOR DIVIDED AXLES.

APPL'IGATION FILED JUNE14,1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.-

y sanare.

'narran salaries iespana* caricia CHBLES H; JOHNSON, OF CANTO, OHIO,ASSIGNOR TO THE RIDGELY ANB JOHNSON v TOOL COMRANY, OF SPRINGFIELD,ILLINOIS, LA CORPORATION 0F ILLXNOIS.

DRIVING MECHANISIVI FOR DIVIDED AXLESr Specification of Letters Patent:-

Application led June 14, 1909. Serial No. 501,887.

v at Canton, in the county of Stark and State of Ohio, have invented anew and useful Driving Mechanisml for Divided Axles, of

`which the following is a specification.

Theinvention relates to a clutch for driv-- ing divided shafts,'like theaxles of antoinobiles and other motor vehicles, in which it is desirableto release either one or both sec# tions of the axle from the clutch topermit the same to rotate'free of the driving mechanism, as when thevehicle is making a turn or is coasting down hill. In t-he rst case, itis desirable to automatically rengage the free section of the axle assoon as a straight course is regained,vand in gthe latter case whenboth` sections of the axle have run ahead ofthe driving mechanism, it isdesirable to rengage them by the clutch to utilize the resistance of themotor mechanism, to-retard the rotation of the Wheels. And again, whenboth axle sections have been clutched against the motor, it is desirableto automatically release and renga e them by the clutch when necessaryto rive them again by the motor. .These general objects and purposes ofthe invention are attained by journaling the inner end portions of theaxle sections in a driving drum, and by pro; viding friction disks onthe adjoining ends of the sections and clamping rings on the disks, withlevers on the rings and lugs and a detent on the drum, whereby eitheroneor both of the rings are clamped or released lon the disks by therelative rotation of the drum .and either one or both of the axlesections, toA accomplish the desired purposes. A preferred embodiment ofthe invention as applied to the divided axles of an automobile, isillustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, in which-Figure 1 is a side elevation of the drum and Clutch mechanism, showingthe axle in section and one end of the drum removed; Fig. 2, alongitudinal section of the drum and clutch mechanism on line 2-'2, Fig.1; Fig. 3, a detached plan, partly in section, of the lever and lin'kclamping connections; and Fig. 4, a section similar to l? ig. 2,'showingmodified forms of disks and rings with wedge-shaped friction faces. lSimilar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

The driving drum 1 is provided vwith a suitable gear as 2 by means ofwhich it is operated by a suitable motor, not shown, and in the endsofthe drum are provided the tubular trunnions 3 which are adapted vtorotate in the bearings'll mountedin the gear housing 5 ofthe vehicle,not shown, in which trunnions th'e'inner end portions of the axlesections 6- and (3a are preferably journaled as shown. The frictiondisks 7 and 7a are formed orsecured against rotation on the adjoiningends of the axle sections linside the drum, around the peripheries ofwhich disks are provided the clamping rings 8 and 8a. Each ring isdivided on one sideand the levers 9, 9 and 10, 10u are pivoted to theadjacent ends 11, 1la and l2,

12a-of the respective rings by means of the pivot pins 13, 13a and 111,14a. rlhe companion levers of each ring are connected by the diagonallinks 15, 15aL and 16, 16H, one end of each link being pivoted on thering pivot pins and the other end of each link being pivoted to the pins17,17a and 18, 1Sa located in the levers intermediate the ends thereof;by which arrangement. it is evident that when the free end of eithervthe intermediate pivot and its connecting link serves to clamp thecorresponding ring around4 its friction disk, while a reverse rotationof the free end of either lever toward its companion lever serves torelease the grip of the ring around the disk. The rings are preferablymade slightly smaller in normal diameter than the disks, so that theirinherent elasticity will clamp the disks to a slight degree, thus givingtherings an initial grip on the disks; and compression springs as lf)may be provided between the levers to normally hold their free endsapart, as a substitute for or to supplement the elasticity of the ring.

The driving lugs 20, 20a are formed or 'securely attached on the innerperipheral wall of the driving drum, and one of these lugs extendsinward between the free ends of the companion lever pertaining to eachof the repective clamping rings; and the releasing etent 2l is plvotedpreferably on the pin 22 between the driving .lugs The releasing detentis provided with the controlling lug 23 which extends between the freeends of the companion levers of both rateatea naar. is, fisio.

' .hook 25' of thereleasing detent', which serves .driving lugs 20 and20a will respectively mpinge the 'inner sides of the free ends oftheforward levers' 9 and 9, thus clamping both .rings 8 and 81 around thefriction disks and Ithereby positively driving both axlesections 6 and6a in the forward direction. In this relation of the parts, thecontrolling lug of the releasing detent hangs withv its forward sideagainst the inner sides of both of the forward levers 9 and 95l and withthe for-v ward beveled hook 25 adjacent-tothe outer sides of the freeVends of the same levers.y If, however, one axle section tends to rotatefaster than the driving mechanism, as the section 6 pertaining to theouter wheel when 'rounding a curve, it is evidentthat the free Aend ofthe corresponding lever 9 lwill move forward to be free of the drivinglug 19 and will impinge and be'trippedby `the forward to release theclam ing contact of the ring S on the correspon ing friction disk on theaxle 6 and permits the same to rotate free of `the driving mechanism. Itwill beunderstood thatin this ielation of the parts, the

,releasing vdetent isheld against rotation on its pivot bythe abutmentof the forward side of lts controlling lug againstthe inner 'side of thelevert)a on 'the clamping ring 8, upon which ring devolves the4 wholevdriving load during the time the other ring is released;

" V and that when the Vlever 9 is again impinged by the driving lug 19,'as when the vehicle regains a straight-course or rounds areverse curve,the ring 8 will again be clamped' on the disk:7 tol positively drive thesame,v

`And when both axles tend to rotate faster than the driving drum',- aswhen coastin down hill, .the free'ends of both the forwar levers'i).-and y9al will impingethe inclinedinner faces of the forward hook 25 ofthereleasing deten't, and as this detent is now freev lto rotate lon itspivot-,its forward arm' will be thrown" upward by the sliding ofthebev-v eled face of.the.hook o'n-the levers. As soon as the forwardllevers '9, andal'3L move away'- from thel driving lugs, the positiveclamping of the .rings around bothv friction disks is at 'once released,and both disks and the cor responding axles yare thus permitted tor0.tate freev of the driving me'chanis1n..This

freedom continues as long as the driving [lugs are not in contact withthele'vers,-but

in event the axles rotate farenough .in ad-f' Vance of the driving ,drumto causethe free ends ofthe rear levers 10 and 10?L to iinpinge the rearside of the driving'lugs, it is'evi-` dent that both rings will again beclampedon the respective disks,.thus positively clutching the sameagainst the motor mechanism, the resistance of which serves to' brake alfurther excessive rotation of the axles. In this operation of theparts, the

inner sides of the rearward levers 10 andlOxi will'have first impingedthe rear side of the controlling lug 23 of the releasingv detent androtated 'the same forward -to bring the rearward hook 25a of this detentdownwardto be adjacent to the rear sides of the 4ends Aof the -levers l0and l0, thus reversing the relative arrangement of'all the parts.- Andpower is again l ,vrequired'fthe'rotation of t e axles will lagfurthermore, when drivin behind the driving drum, and thedriving lugswill move forward from the rearward set" of levers to'impinge' theforward set thereof, which movement first releases'l the clamping ringsand then rengages them v with the friction disks to drive the axlesections forward, in which operation the rearr ward levers and theforward hook willbe`l rotated downward to beadjacent to-theforwardlevers, which rotation is positively ,ac-V I v`complished by theabutment o the forward levers a ainst the'forward side of thecontrolling ug of the detent7 which vbrings all the parts in normalositionfor being driven forward. 'And fina ly, when it isdesired todrive the vehicle backward, it is only necessary to reverse therotationof the 'driving drum,' whereupon both drivinglugs willmove awayfrom contact with theA levers 9.

and 9*?, andthe same levers will impinge the beveled face of the.forward Ihook vand throw the samel upward; afterwlnch the driving lugswill impino'e the rearward levers 10 and 10?' thus reclamping both ringsi on the disks, and at the same time the rfarA wardhook 25 of thedetentl will( be rotated. downward to be adjacent to the rear'sides ofthe'free ends' of the rear levers, which rota-A tion' is ositivelyaccomplished .by-theiabutmen't of)the rearlevers againstfthe 4rear sideof the controlling lu ofthe detent; thus bringing all the arts into fa,reverse-arrangenient and adapting the'. vvehicle to -bepos1- tivelydriven backward and to have' either onei or both of 'the clamping'lrings released and-ren aged in the same manner as when the vehic e 1sbeing driven forward.

f lhefriction faces betweenvthe disks and the' rings are generallyformed truly cyhnfioo dr-ic, as shownin Fig. 2, but it issoinetimespreferred to 'provide V-shaped' grooves. 26 in tongues 27 in the rings7b and 8, whereby the area of frictionatcontact is in 'reasedanda'-wedge action between the reversely|.bev

eled faces is obtained.. 'l

7b andT?, with corresponding vlevers' of' the same ring, a driving drumaround' the rings and having alug lthereon extending. between the freeends of companiori levers, and a detent pivoted on the drum and having acontrolling lug extending between the free ends of the levers of bothrings With hooks adapted to alternately engage the outer sides-of thefree ends of the levers.

2. A driving mechanism'including a divided f axle, disks .on the axlesections, divided rings on the disks,i'levers pivoted to 'the adjacentends of therings, links connectin the ring pivots with Acompanion leverso the same ring, and driving means around the rings including lugskextending between the free ends of companion levers and a pivoteddeten't having a controlling lug extending between the free ends of thevlevers of both rings with hooks adapted to alternately engage the outersides of the free ends of the levers.

' 3. A. driving mechanism' including a di-y vided axle, disks on theaxle sections, divided rings on the disks, levers pivoted to theadjacent ends of the rings, links conv necting the ring pivots withcompanion levers of the saine rin and driving means including lugs extening betiveenfthe free ends of companion levers and a pivoted detenthavin a controlling lug extending between 4the ree ends of the levers olboth rings with hooks adaptedto alternately 'enage the outer sides ofthe freeends oi the evers. j

4:. A driving mechanism including a'divided axle, disks on the axlesections, divided rings on the disks, levers and links connecting theadjacent ends of the rings, and drivin means around the rings includinglugs a apted to impinge the respectivo levers to clamp the correspondingrin fs and a pivoted detent havinga lug control ed by the levers of bothrings and having hooks adapted `to be impinged by the respective drivenlevers to release either ring when it runs "ahead of the other ring.

5. A. drivin mechanism includingl a divided axle', disks on the axlesections, divided rings on the disks, levers and links connecting the.adjacent ends of the rings, and driving means including lugs adapted toimpinge the respective levers to clamp the corresponding rings and apivoted detent having aalug controlled by the levers of both i ringsand^`having hooks adapted to be impinged by the respective driven leversto release either ring when it runs ahead or" the other' ring.

.6.y Adriving, mechanism including a divided axle, disks on the axlesections, rings on the disks, means for clamping the rings and diskstogether including companion levers on each ring, and driving meansineluding lugs adapted to impinge the respective levers to clamp thecorresponding rings and a pivoted detent havingV a lug controlled by thelevers of both rings and having hooks adapted to be impinged by therespective driven levers to release either ring when it A runs ahead-ofthe other ring.

7. A driving mechanism including a `diclampingl.- rings thereon,clamping means including companion levers on each ring, and driving-means adapted tooperate on respective levers to clamp correspondingrings in either direction and having a piv oted detent -ivith hooksadapted to alternat'elf'v engage the corresponding levers of the leverof either ring when the other overruns, Iwhereby the' correspondinghookv trips fthe lev'cr o-'ll the other ring to'release the ring.

' 8. A driving mecharisrn including a dion the disks, means on the ringsfor clamping them on the disks, and driving'm'eans adapted to operate onthe clam ing .means to` clamp the rings and drive the isks i'n eitherclamp one or both against the driving means. when bothdisks overrun, andto release one ring When it overruns and both rings When they7 overrunand to reclamp the one ring or both rings when overtaken by the drivingmeans.

9. A. driving-'mechanism including a divided axle, disks on the ax'lesections, rings adapted to be clamped on the' disks, and means forclamping the rings on the disks and driving them ,in either direction torelease both rings and then reclampI one' or both against the drivingmeans when both disks overrun, and to release one ring when it overrunsand both ringswhen they overboth rings when overtaken by the drivingmeans.

10. Adriving mechanism including a divided axle, annular frictionelements Ion the axle sections, rings adapted to clamp the frictionelements, and clamping means including companion levers en each ring,and driving means adapted to operate on re spective levers to clamp anddrive the friction elementsl in either direction, to release bothelements and then reclamp one or both against .the driving means Whenboth elc- Aments overrun, and to release one element when it overrunsand both elements when they overrun, and' then to reclamp the oneelement or both elements Wvhen'overtaken by the driving means.

vided axle, disks on "the axle sections with been rings and a lugadapted t0 be held b5" 'videdaxle, disks onthc.4 axle sections, rings ldirection to release both rings and then'rev llO' run and then 'tdreclamp the one ring or' 1l. A. driving mechanism including an axle, adisk thereon, aI divided ring on the disk, levers pivoted to theadjacent ends ci the ring, links connecting each rin-g pivot with ltheother lever, and a; driving dra-rn around the ring and' having a lug`thereon extending between the free ends ot the levers;

1Q. 'AA driving mechanism including an axle, a disk thereon, adivided-'ring on the disk, levers' pivoted' to the adjacent ends of .thering; links connecting each ring pivot with the other lever, an'd`ydriving means around the rings includind a lug extending between thefree' ends of the levers. 13. A driving' mechanism including ani axle, adisk thereon, a divided-ring on` 4the disk, levers andl linksconnectinigthe adjacent endscf the ring, and dri-ving means adapted; teimpinge the respective levers to clamp therngi' andv drive the Vdisk ineither.

"direction,

were 15. 4driving mechanism including an axle, an annular frictionelement thereon, a

divided rinfg adaptedto clamp the friction.

element, the friction faces being Wedgesh'aped, levers and-.linksconnecting thefadjacent ends of the ring, and-driving I'n'eansv adaptedto im-pinge the respective levers tov clamp the ring' and drive the axlein either direction.

16. A driving mechanism including an axle, an annular friction elementthereon, a ring adapted to clamp the' friction element,

clamping means including' companion Alevers l ony the ring, yand drivingmeans adapted to operate on respective levers to drive theA axle ineither direction. 1

17. A. driving mechanism including a axle, an annular friction elementthereonfa". ring adapted to clamp the friction element,V

.the friction faces being I'vvedge-shaped,

clamping means including companion 1evers on Jche ring, and driving-means adapted to operate on respective levers to drive the axle 1neither direction.

Witnesses:

WM. R: RHoADs, i RUTH'L A. Mmmm cHAnLnsnJoHNsoN.'

